“The amount of trash that haulers collect increases dramatically during the holidays,” Jones said. “Much of that is gift wrap and packaging that can be reused or recycled rather than be put into in the trash.”

She said the packing peanuts and bubble wrap can be taken to Mail Boxes Etc., the UPS Store or similar retailers for reuse. To find the closest store, Jones said an individual can visit the Plastic Loosefill Council’s Web site,www.loosefillpackaging.com, or call the “Peanut” Hotline at 1-800-828-2214 or check the Yellow Pages.

Jones said corrugated cardboard cartons, pre-holiday catalogs and gift boxes should also be recycled, as should glass bottles, plastic bottles coded 1 and 2, aluminum beverage cans and steel food cans from holiday gatherings. Newspapers, magazines and junk mail—all of which are generated year round, should be recycled as well.

If cardboard boxes are too large to fit into a curbside recycling bin, they should be flattened, folded and stacked inside one cardboard box and placed next to the recycling bin, Jones said.

In addition, a number of new items are now being accepted for recycling in the communities that have contracts with the MCMUA for the curbside collection of recyclables, Jones said.

To determine what items are acceptable for recycling in a specific community, Jones said county residents may check with their individual municipality, or they may visit the Morris County MUA Web site, www.mcmua.com.